NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

European Parliament resolution on Nepal

B7‑0384/2010

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on Nepal, in particular the one passed on 16 May 2006,

-having regard to the statement by the spokesperson of the High Representative of the European Union on Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton on the political situation in Nepal of 30 April 2010,

-having regard to the 23-29 May visit of a European Parliament delegation to Nepal and its findings,

-having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas in 2006, after ten years of civil war which claimed some 13,000 lives, a Comprehensive Peace Treatment was signed between the Nepalese Government and the Maoists;

B. Whereas after conducting Constituent Assembly elections in May 2008, Nepal abolished its 240-year-old monarchy and declared itself a republic;

C. Whereas the peace process is currently stalled and political tensions have been rising, following the fall of the Communist led government and resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in May 2010;

D. Whereas the 2-year mandate of the Constituent Assembly expired on 29 May 2010, without the Assembly succeeding in drafting a new Constitution for the country, but whereas the mandate was extended by six months in an agreement between the government and the Maoists;

1. Urges the leaders of all the political parties in Nepal, and particularly those of the main parties, to negotiate without preconditions and to show flexibility in order to work together for national unity;

2. Considers the rapid promulgation of the new constitution to be vital to efforts to sustain peace and stability in Nepal;

3. Calls on the High Representative of the EU through its delegation in Kathmandu to closely monitor the political situation in Nepal;

4. Urges the Nepalese government in cooperation with the Maoists to continue the integration and rehabilitation back into civil society of 19,602 Maoist combatants verified by the United Nations Mission in Nepal, who have been held in cantonment sites around the country for nearly three years;

5. Calls on the High Representative to use her influence and ensure that the neighbouring powers in the region are also supportive in the negotiations to create a government of national unity;

6. Calls in particular on China and India to have a positive influence on the outcome of the peace process;

7. Calls on the Nepalese government to start bringing perpetrators of grave human rights abuses during the 10-year civil war to justice, because only an end to impunity will make the peace and restoration process sustainable; calls on the Maoists to cooperate in this process;

8. Calls therefore for a rapid creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission;

9. Calls on the Nepalese government to protect Tibetan refugees in transit to India;

10. Calls on the Nepalese government to address the problem of the 800,000 stateless Nepalese by simplifying bureaucratic procedures and reducing the costs of applying for citizenship certificates. Considers it vital that they are also taken into account during the peace process negotiations;

11. Hails the announcement in 2009 by Nepal to support the draft United Nations principles and guidelines to eliminate caste discrimination;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member States and the Government of Nepal;